How far is Jefferson City, MO from Branson, MO?
The driving distance from Jefferson City, MO to Branson, MO is about 173 miles (278.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 145.3 miles (233.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 47m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 23m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Laclede County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Jefferson City and Branson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson City and Branson.
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1
Start on East Wall Way
47 m · 13 sec · East Wall Way
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2
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
1130 ft · 40 sec · Jefferson Street
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3
Turn left onto Rex M Whitton Expressway
540 ft · 23 sec · Rex M Whitton Expressway
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4
Turn right onto Madison Street
3189 ft · 2 min · Madison Street
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5
Take the ramp straight
1131 ft · 28 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto C. F. “Red” Whaley Expressway
56.5 mi · 1 hr 5 min · C. F. “Red” Whaley Expressway
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7
Take the exit right toward MO 5 South, MO 7 South: Lebanon
1203 ft · 29 sec
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8
Merge slight left
24 mi · 29 min
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9
Turn left onto North Jefferson Avenue
1.6 mi · 2 min · North Jefferson Avenue
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10
Take the exit right toward I 44 West: Springfield
731 ft · 18 sec
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11
Merge slight left
46.4 mi · 50 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South: Branson
1412 ft · 48 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Schoolcraft Freeway
11 mi · 14 min · Schoolcraft Freeway
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14
Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway
10.9 mi · 13 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
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15
Continue on US Highway 65
12 mi · 14 min · US Highway 65
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16
Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway
7.5 mi · 9 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward MO 248, CR 165, Red Route
1043 ft · 22 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Red Route East
79 m · 7 sec
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19
Turn straight onto Branson Landing Boulevard
3251 ft · 2 min · Branson Landing Boulevard
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Veterans Boulevard
47 m · 4 sec · Veterans Boulevard
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21
Exit the roundabout onto Veterans Boulevard
2041 ft · 52 sec · Veterans Boulevard
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22
Continue on South Business 65
52 m · 6 sec · South Business 65
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23
Turn right
19 m · 5 sec
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Jefferson City and Branson.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
C. F. “Red” Whaley Expressway
Merge slight left onto C. F. “Red” Whaley Expressway
56.5 mi · 01h 05m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Jefferson City and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Branson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Jefferson City to Branson?
The road trip is about 173 miles (278.4 km) and usually takes 03h 23m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lebanon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.6 miles from Jefferson City and 86.4 miles from Branson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 145.3 miles (233.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.7 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:12 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.00 one way or $46.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Jefferson City and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Branson.
Stop Ideas Near Lebanon
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lebanon.
Jefferson City
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Jefferson City and Branson. Straight-line distance: 145.29 mi (233.82 km).
#1 Jefferson City
The capital of Missouri.
| Population | 42,708 |
| Coordinates | 38.5767000, -92.1735200 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Branson
Town in Taney County, Missouri, USA
| Population | 11,687 |
| Coordinates | 36.6436700, -93.2185100 |
| Altitude | 237 |
| Country | United States |
End: Branson (-93.21851, 36.64367)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 278 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.00 | $46.01 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.94 | $51.89 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.39 | $56.78 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.35 | $64.71 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Missouri · Apr 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.